eShakti FX Feature Review

Do you know eShakti? You should! eShakti is an online women's retailer that gives you multiple options for customization of their clothing, all at affordable prices. Do you like your skirts long, or short? Do you like your necklines revealing, or modest? With eShakti, you get to decide!

I own two eShakti dresses which I wear in heavy rotation and rave about constantly. In addition to the many styling choices, I love that their height and measurement options gave me perfectly fitted dresses.

Now, eShakti has rolled out a new feature, eShakti FX, that lets you see their dresses transform as you click on the many style options. Most dresses feature customizable necklines, sleeve length, and skirt length. (As a bonus, and because eShakti knows what women want, most of their dresses have pocket options!)

I played around with the fun (and addicting!) FX features for...probably longer than I should admit. You can see in this gorgeous emerald dress above that just by changing the neckline and sleeves gives this dress an entirely different look. Here are other dresses that I styled with the FX feature:

Want to play around and style some beautiful dresses, too? Head over to eShakti and look for the FX symbol for products with this feature. What do you think? It's like DIY'ing a dress without the cutting and sewing and frustrations. I bet you'll love it!

Happy shopping!

~julee~

This post was written in conjunction with eShakti. All opinions expressed are my own, as always.

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Show Off Your Shoes with Ross Dress for Less

Confession time:  I’m a girl who loves shoes.  True story, my 1st and 2nd jobs when I was a teenager were in shoe departments in retail shops, and that wasn’t a coincidence.  So when Ross Dress for Less informed me that they were having a Show Off Your Shoes shoe selfie promotion and asked if I wanted to participate, I was all up for the challenge.

It works like this: Shop at Ross and find a fabulous pair of shoes, then take a shoe selfie with those beauties.  Upload your photo to Ross’s Facebook page saying why you love your shoes, and ask your friends to vote for you.  So fun, and you’ll have a chance to win a Ross gift card!  (Click here for more details.)

So what super cute shoes did I find at Ross this week?  Well, for starters, I was blown away by the selection.  So many cute and trendy summer shoes, in so many pretty colors and styles: Flats, wedges, heels, strappy sandals, flip flops, boat shoes, sneakers – you name it, Ross had it at affordable prices.



Because the selection was so great, I had a hard time selecting a favorite pair.  I am really in need of a new pair of heels to wear with summer dresses, but I fell in love these brown oxfords with the ribbon laces.  (Despite the fact that I already have two pairs of oxfords, but who’s counting.)



Ultimately, though, I found a pair of strappy wedges that may or may not have made me whimper a little when I saw them – I have been searching for a similar style since last summer and I felt like I hit the jackpot with these babies.  Behold (but look past the haphazard pedicure – it’s been a long winter, people):



This is my shoe selfie.  Show Ross yours!  Between now and April 18th, upload your favorite Ross shoes on the Ross Dress for Less Facebook promotion page for your chance to win.  If you enter, leave your link here – I’d love to come over and see your shoes!

If you'd like to vote for my shoes, you can do so here: http://bit.ly/1gRz3n6   Thanks!

~julee~

A gift card was provided by Ross to share my shopping experience.  All opinions are 100% mine.

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ModCloth: What I (Wish) I Wore

Staple of Your Style by diylouisville featuring an infinity scarf

Creating a little Christmas wishlist for myself today using some of my favorite pieces from ModCloth.  I love the polka dots on the Staple of Your Style dress, and the nerdy bunny sweater, but I must say that I am absolutely in love with the mustard yellow oxfords.  Maybe Santa will put them under the tree for me this year.

Any special ModCloth pieces on your list to Santa this year?

~julee~

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Shabby Apple Dress Review

I recently had an opportunity to review this gorgeous Grand National dress from Shabby Apple.  I love Shabby Apple’s feminine vintage styles, so I paired this dress with a vintage silver choker and my favorite silver vintage clutch (passed down from my mom).  I added a lovely handmade rose quartz bracelet from Robin Chard Jewelry, and black wedge heels to complete the outfit.  A few different accessories and this dress would be perfect for this season’s holiday parties.

You can see my full review of Shabby Apple and this dress at Oh My Gosh Beck.

Do you dress up for holiday parties, or do they tend to be more casual affairs?

Happy holiday dressing and handmade accessorizing, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Fall Fashion at Ross Dress for Less

I was invited by Ross Dress for Less to check out their Fall Fashion Event going on this month.  I am always excited to shop at Ross, but here is a confession:  I wasn’t really in the mood to shop for fall clothes.  I’ve been sort of in denial that cold weather is approaching, and while I am definitely a girl who loves her boots and cardi’s, I wasn’t quite ready to don them just yet.

    

So I went to Ross with this funky mood of not really knowing what I wanted to buy.  New jeans?  New boots?  New jacket?  A pretty new dress to wear to the office?  They had all of those things and more. 

And then something caught my eye.  A rack.  A rack of seemingly endless sweater dresses.  Warm and gorgeous and perfect for leggings and boots, glorious sweater dresses.  I grabbed a pair of black boots that was calling my name, carried eight sweater dresses into the dressing room, and I started to feel a bit giddy about dressing for fall and winter. 

I ultimately selected two dresses to purchase because one just wasn’t going to be enough to get me through the winter.  (Sadly, I had to say goodbye to those gorgeous black boots, but not without a few tears.)

One of my purchases was a cotton blend long top/tunic style dress.  I loved the colored stripes and that the material was light enough to wear when the temps were just starting to dip but not yet cold enough for a hot sweater or coat.  At Ross I tried the dress on with skinny dark denim and loved the look, but once home I paired it with black pants and my own black boots for work.

Are you a Ross Dress for Less shopper?  Have you checked out their fall styles yet?  If not, I highly encourage you do so.  It’s a great place to shop for current trends, and the prices are incredible.  Especially worth checking out if you are currently looking for fall boots, jeans, colored tights, dresses or jackets.  I found all of these items on my recent trip!  Currently Ross is holding The Great Dress Event  in stores.  Also, be sure to check out Ross Dress for Less Facebook page.  You can keep up with their current promotions and they often post giveaways you can enter.

Happy fall shopping!

~julee~

 

*A gift card was provided by Ross to share my shopping experience.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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DIY Shell Necklace

So, I get that fall is practically tomorrow, but I’m still playing with my beloved summer seashells over here.  I’ve organized them, decorated with them, and now, I’m wearing them. 

Creating your own DIY shell necklace is easy.  When collecting shells on the beach, don’t immediately toss back the ones with small holes in them.  They are perfect to use for jewelry making without the need for power tools.  Or, if you don’t have any beach trips planned soon, you can buy shells from Wholeport with the holes already predrilled.

To make your own DIY shell necklace, you’ll need a variety of shells with holes and a leather cord.  Also consider adding charms for more interest.  If your shells are in need of holes, you’ll have to break out drill to create them.  The predrilled shells, bronze charms, and leather cord I used are all from Wholeport.  If you use your found shells, wash them in a bleach and water solution and allow to dry beforehand.

The length of cord you’ll need will depend on your preference, but you’ll need to add at least two extra inches to ensure it’s not too short after you tie on your shells.  Knot a shell with the cording every inch or so until your necklace is the length you desire.  When I had all of my shells added, I simply tied the ends together on mine, but you can add a necklace clasp if you prefer.  That’s it!  Now you’ve created a beautiful piece of jewelry from your beach treasures.

You can create many different looks by including a larger variety of shells.  Hanging a single charm or shell on leather cording is also very pretty.

Happy creating, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Wear It: Camo Dress

I can’t tell if I really like this dress or if I think it looks like some bad camo print.  What do you think?

Dress, shoes, cardi:  Target; Earrings: Dillards; Necklace: Graduation gift from my mom

Anyway, it’s a been a busy week around here as I wrap up the last of my classes and prepare for graduation next month.  Today I actually stepped out of my jeans and dressed up a bit to attend an honors ceremony at the university.  My fashion stylist told me to accept my award in something floral and flirty.  Not sure if camo falls under flirty, but this is what I wore.  

I have the chance to take a big giant breather for the next couple of weeks.  I can’t tell you how ecstatic that makes me.  I have some sewing projects in mind I’d like to tackle…if Netflix doesn’t suck me in first.

Have an awesome week!

~julee~

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Wear It: Ross Dress for Less and Giveaway

Last summer Ross Dress for Less opened up a new store here in Louisville and I was pretty stoked.  Ross carries trendy clothing at super affordable prices, and I have found many great deals there. 

In March, Ross opened up a second location in Louisville so I popped into the new place during their grand opening week.  True to themselves, the new store carried trendy spring fashions and name brands at prices that won’t break the bank.  Isn’t that what every girl wants? 

Check out these cute pieces I took into the dressing room:



You may have already seen a facebook and twitter sneak peek of one of the favorite dresses I tried on, but which dress did I ultimately select?  This one:



With the great selection at Ross it was hard to choose, but I really loved the color of this dress and the understated high-low hem.  The flowery cutouts on the back and shoulders pretty much sold me.  This dress is great with a cardi and leggings, but I’ll get tons of wear out of it in the spring.

Dress c/o Ross; leggings and bracelets Target; boots thrifted; necklace Love Squirrels

What about you?  Are you ready to do some spring shopping?  Ross wants to give a $25 gift card to help make that happen for one lucky person!  In addition to women’s clothing, Ross also carries home décor, shoes, accessories, children’s clothing and more – so there’s something for everyone.   Simply enter on the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a $25 Ross Dress for Less gift card.

(Also, check out the Ross Facebook page for more fun opportunities to win during their Shoe Madness event.)

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A gift card was received by me from Ross, but I was in no way obligated to blog, brag, or boast about my experience. 

All opinions are exclusively mine.

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Wear It: Firmoo Glasses, Review and Giveaway

These Firmoo frames have been my favorite fashion accessory since they landed in my mailbox a few weeks ago.  You may have seen me wearing them in action here and here.  Firmoo is an online prescription glasses retailer specializing in trendy, fashionable, and affordable frames. 

Firmoo has so many cute frames to choose from and it was hard to select just one pair.  I almost always choose light brown frames, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone this time and selected this darker brown tortoise shell.  I honestly really love them!

Firmoo has a First Pair Free program where you can try their prescription frames (or non-prescription frames, if that’s how your fashionable self rolls)  for free and all you have to pay is shipping.  That’s a great way to get a pair of quality glasses at an affordable price.  If you’ve never ordered prescription glasses online before, there is nothing to it.  Simply ask for your prescription in writing when you get your next eye exam.  Then, Firmoo’s ordering process takes you step by step to accurately input the prescription.  That’s all there is to it!

Now, do you want to hear something really awesome?  Firmoo is giving away a pair of glasses PLUS shipping to one of you lucky ladies or gents (they have mens frames, too)!  AND 4 E-vouchers to put toward their Designer Glasses.  Here are more details:

For the grand prize winner (1 person): a pair of fashionable eyeglasses including shipping, any pair from http://www.firmoo.com/all-products.html , both prescription & non-prescription are available. Designer glasses and sunglasses are not available to choose.

For the second prize winners: each winner will win a $30 E-Voucher which can only be used on designer glasses.  The vouchers can only be used on Firmoo designer glasses at http://www.firmoo.com/designer-eyeglasses.html.

The giveaway is open internationally, but the winners have to be located in the area our delivery can reach to. Please visit http://www.firmoo.com/help-c-10.shtml to get the countries we ship to and details of the postage.

Are you feeling lucky?  Use the Rafflecopter below to enter.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wear It: Handmade

Don’t look too close at these pictures or you’ll see my goose bumps and extra long arm hairs standing straight up.    It was freezing, but I really wanted to show off this fabulous skeleton cameo necklace by Louisville jewelry artist Under Sixes and I thought you might be able to see it better if it wasn’t hiding beneath a parka and two infinity scarf layers.

I was inspired by Suzanne at Style Files to pull out some stripes this week after she shared them as one of her top 10 wardrobe essentials.  I’m also thinking this Marion polish from Julep should be a wardrobe essential.  What do you think?

(Are you a Julep maven?  You can sign up today and use the code FREEBOX to get your first box free. )

Shirt & Jeans: Target; Cardi: Banana Republic, gifted (i.e. Hand-Me-Down); Earrings: Wisconsin Gift Shop; Necklace: Under Sixes; Leather Cuff: Made by Me; Nail Polish: Julep

I put the how-to for making this leather cuff on the blog last week, but just in case you’d rather win one than make one, I’m giving one away in my awesome sponsor giveaway.  Which you should totally check out.  And enter.

So, who’s ready for spring?

~julee~

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style, Dress for the Day, Lily Among Thorns and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

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Make It: Leather Cuff

Know what’s fun? When someone compliments you on something you’re wearing and you blurt out, “I made it!!”. Making your own pretty little leather cuff arm candy is a breeze and only takes a few supplies. Are you ready to be complimented?

DIY Leather Cuff Tutorial

1) You’ll need: Leather or vinyl, sew in snaps with thread and needle (or a snap kit if your leather is thick), strong glue (tacky glue, super glue, hot glue, or fabric glue), and a pattern piece. 2) Make a pattern from paper by measuring the length around your wrist, and approximately 2-inches wide (or wider if you like). Cut the leather from this pattern. 3) Pattern pieces: One wrist cuff and one 2inx1/3in piece. 4) Find the middle of the wrist strap and pinch it into a fold. You may add a couple small dots of glue between the folds on the underside. 5) Wrap your small piece tightly around the folds. 6) Glue the small piece tightly on the underside.  Snip off any excess. 7) Add your snaps. My leather was soft and thin, so I could easily use sew in snaps. 8) Finish both sides of your snaps.  9)  Wear it out and brag on your awesomeness.



Tips:  You can purchase leather and vinyl at fabric stores, but you may have an old leather item laying around that can be repurposed for this project.  My leather came from a torn leather skirt found at the thrift store.

Do you enjoy making your own accessories?  If you’ve made any lately, share a link to your blog in the comments – I’d love to come check it out!

Happy making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Wear It: Miss Happy Pink

 

Tshirt: Miss Happy Pink; Sweater:  Target; Boots: Rocket Dog, thrifted; Jeans: Jcrew, thrifted; Silver Ring: Old

 

A certain somebody has been battling a certain cold, so when the temps reached a crazy unexpected 70-degrees today, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to dress casual and comfy in my new Miss Happy Pink shirt.  I love all of her screenprints, but I especially love this bicycle built for two.  Doesn’t it just make you want to go somewhere? 

 

~julee~

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

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Make and Wear: Je t’aime

The temps right now are somewhere between 20-degrees and freezing-to-death, so this blurry indoor shot of my shirt will have to suffice for the moment. 

After making a simple freezer paper stencil heart shirt for my daughter this week, I thought I needed a more grown up version to wear myself.  I have been loving all of the large heart shirts that seem to be in fashion right now, but thought a smaller heart with a nod to my upcoming spring trip to Paris would be a better fit for me.

I made the design in Word and used freezer paper to make the stencil, but I cheated and ran this image through my Silhouette cutter instead of cutting by hand.  Dear Silhouette, Je t’aime.

Have you ever made freezer paper stencils?  You can watch my video demonstrating the method on WDRB in the Morning HERE.  Such a fun project!

~julee~

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

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Wear It: Hand-Knit Cowl

This is not so much an outfit post as it is a Hey!  Look at the new hand-knit cowl I got for Christmas! post.  Purchased by my friend Kim at a local art & craft show, but there was no tag or card so I can’t give credit to the artist.  Sad.  It adds the perfect amount of warmth without too much bulk which is really nice.  Sometimes you just don’t want that suffocated feeling, you know?  I’m always jealous of those that can knit or crochet.  I’d love to have one of these bad boys in about 20 different colors.

My coat is old from Target and my earrings were also handmade, by Kiki(verde).  Love.

I hope you guys are keeping warm this week.  It’s currently spitting sleet and snow outside and my daughter is doing the Snow Day Dance as I type this.  Perhaps I should join her; I wouldn’t mind a snow day myself.

~julee~

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

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Wear It: Slouchy Shirt

Anyone else hear What A Feeling playing in the background? 

This was my first day of my last semester of school outfit.  Man, does it feel good to say that.  I know I keep bringing it up, but you guys, it’s a light at the end of a loooong tunnel that I sometimes seriously wondered if I’d ever see.  Going back to school as an adult is just so different. 

There was no internet my first go at college (I’m ancient, don’t mention it), but there is practically nothing that can’t be accomplished online today, including renting textbooks at Campus Book Rentals.  Renting textbooks typically saves even more money than buying used, because you send them back at the end of the semester when you no longer need them.  Campus Book Rentals can save you 40-90% off bookstore prices, has free shipping both ways, and donates to Operation Smile with each textbook rented.  Awesome, right?  One of my books this semester was over $100 at the bookstore, and Campus Books Rentals has it available to rent for less than $25.  I’m talking serious cash savings.   One of my biggest hesitations for renting textbooks was that I wouldn’t be able to highlight in them for studying, but at Campus Book Rentals highlighting is allowed.  Bonus points!  I’d recommend checking out their prices before you overspend at your campus bookstore.

I’m wearing a couple of my favorite handmade items today:  Necklace made by Mandy of  Love Squirrels; Wooden Ring made by Uncommon Handmade.  Love these little pops of color!

Top: Forever 21; Tank:  Target; Jeans:  J Crew, thrifted; Boots:  Polo, thrifted;   Boot Socks:  Target

Have a great week!

~julee~

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

This post contains content sponsored by Campus Book Rentals, all opinions 100% mine.

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Wear It: Orange Freeze

This is my I’m Freeeeeezing! look, and I’ve been wearing it a lot this week.  I wanted winter weather, and I got it.  Thank goodness for big scarves to bundle up behind.  I’m actually a great big wimp in the cold, which would explain why I’m wearing a painful expression in every single one of my photos from today.



The handmade items in my outfit today are:  Coffee bean bracelet:  Almost Africa; Silver ring:  Robin Chard, A Sterling Reputation; Earrings:  Handmade by Kim.

Orange Sweater:  Target

Skirt:  Thrifted

Tights:  Kmart

Boots:  Old Navy, thrifted

Scarf:  Kohl’s

Purse:  80’s vintage, thrifted

 

I hope you guys are bundled up and keeping warm!  

~julee~  

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

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